Blocking device

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a device for blocking a liquid- and/or vapour-flow from a hose and positioning a hose rupture to a coupling in the hose, e.g. the end of the hose and a nozzle, the coupling comprising a female fitting ( 2 ) and a male fitting ( 1 ), each with its radial, at least partly conical portion ( 6, 7 ) which, after union of the male fitting ( 1 ) in the femal fitting ( 2 ), form at least parts of a conical ring, a split ring ( 10 ) consisting of one or more parts and provided with a groove ( 11 ) fitting the conical ring, being disposed on the conical ring ( 6, 7 ) for interconnecting and retaining the male fitting ( 1 ) in the female fitting ( 2 ), the ring ( 10 ), on the opposite side in relation to the groove ( 11 ) having at least one groove ( 12, 27, 28 ) each for a spring ring ( 13, 29, 30 ) for orientation of the string ring ( 13, 29, 30 ) and urging the ring ( 10 ) against the conical ring ( 6, 7 ) and retention of the male fitting ( 1 ) in the female fitting ( 2 ) until a predetermined separating force occurs, when the split ring ( 10 ) slides off the conical ring ( 6, 7 ) so that the retention of the male fitting ( 1 ) in the female fitting ( 2 ) ceases, a valve cone ( 3 ) being disposed to block liquid and/or vapour-flow in the event that the male fitting ( 1 ) and the female fitting ( 2 ) are parted from one another, and the valve con ( 3 ) having coupling elements ( 19 ) for engagement with the female fitting ( 2 ), and a sealing element ( 18 ) for co-operation with sealing surface in the male fitting ( 1 ), or vice versa, and an indication of fracture ( 21 ) being located between the coupling elements ( 19 ) and the sealing element ( 18 ).

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a device for blocking a liquid- and orvapour flow from a hose and positioning a hose rupture to a coupling inthe hose, e.g. the end of the hose, and a nozzle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The number of self-service stations for fuelling vehicles is steadilyincreasing and the problems inherent in nozzle spouts which are left inthe filler pipe of the fuel tank are steadily increasing. In most cases,a pump nozzle spout left in a filler pipe results in a hose rupture andthe discharge of fuel into the ambient surroundings, with all of thehazards, to both the environment and general safety, that such an eventoccasions. Further, increasingly stringent environmental requirementsare placed on service stations for avoiding the spillage of both liquidand vapour from the various fuels. Prior art aids for avoiding spillagein hose rupture are relatively unwieldy and display a complex design andconstruction, which in turn entails both a risk of unreliable operation,but above all high production costs which greatly counteract the use ofsuch aids.

The task forming the basis of the present invention is to realise animprovement to the device disclosed by way of introduction.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The present invention realises a hose rupture valve with relativelyslight spatial requirements without jeopardising the desired functionand reliability. Moreover, the present invention makes for themanufacture and assembly of the hose rupture valve at low cost. Inaddition, re-use is prevented and the provision of sealing ring orsealing rings for counteracting leakage on the occurrence of powerfulforces (pulsating forces) is further made possible.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of a device according to the present invention will now bedescribed in greater detail hereinbelow, with reference to theaccompanying Drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view, partly in section, of one embodiment of adevice according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a similar perspective view, partly in section, a part havingbeen separated.

FIG. 3 is a similar perspective view, several parts having beenseparated from each other.

FIG. 4 is a similar perspective view to FIGS. 1-3, with additional partsseparated from each other.

FIG. 5 is yet a further perspective view, substantially similar to FIGS.1-4, with further parts separated from one another.

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal section through a device of the same type asshown in FIGS. 1-5.

FIG. 7 shows a similar section as FIG. 6 mounted on a hose end.

FIG. 8 is a longitudinal section through another embodiment of a deviceaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a longitudinal section taken through yet a further embodimentof a device according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a longitudinal section through still a further embodiment ofa device according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a longitudinal section through yet a further embodiment of adevice according to the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a longitudinal section through a variation of the embodimentof a device according to the present invention illustrated in FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a longitudinal section through yet a further variation of theembodiment of a device according to the present invention illustrated inFIG. 11.

FIG. 14 is a view of the embodiment of a device according to the presentinvention illustrated in FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a longitudinal section through a male and female fitting inthe embodiment of a device according to the present inventionillustrated in FIG. 11, while a view of a cone is shown.

FIG. 16 is a view of the embodiment of a device according to the presentinvention illustrated in FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 is a view of a cone for a device according to the presentinvention without vapour recovery.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The embodiments of a device according to the present invention shown onthe Drawings are intended and disposed for placing in a per seconventional pump nozzle with an opening lock and a per se conventionalhose end, which may be of coaxial type with a central channel for vapourrecovery, and an annular channel surrounding the central channel anddiscrete therefrom for the liquid flow. A simplified variation of adevice according to the present invention may very well be employed insuch contexts where there is no vapour recovery facility. In such anevent, certain parts of the device may be of somewhat simpler design andconstruction, as will be illustrated later in the body of thisspecification.

The embodiment of a device according to the present inventionillustrated in FIG. 1 has a male fitting 1, a female fitting 2 and avalve cone 3. The male fitting 1, which may also be designated hose endfitting, is inserted in the female fitting 2, which may also bedesignated pump nozzle fitting. The fittings 1 and 2 suitably haveeither external or internal threading for co-operation with acorresponding internal or external thread on the hose end or the pumpnozzle, respectively. Between the hose end and the male fitting 1, andthe nozzle and the female fitting 2, suitable sealing rings or washersmay further be provided. The male fitting 1 has an outer conical surface4 for co-operation with a substantially similar conical surface 5 in thefemale fitting 2. The conical surface 4 extends up to a radialprojection 6 which is inwardly directed, while the conical surface 5departs from a radial projection 7. The projections 6 and 7 form a ringwith conical surfaces 8 and 9. A ring 10 is split in order to permitcontraction of its diameter. The ring 10 has a frusto-conical groove 11with substantially the same configuration as the projections 6 and 7with the surfaces 8 and 9. On the inside, the ring 10 has a groove 12for a spring ring 13 which urges the split ring 10 into engagement withthe radial projections 6 and 7.

When a separating force is exercised on the fittings 1 and 2, the ring10 will show a tendency to contract its diameter against the action ofthe spring 13 and slide up on the surfaces 8 and 9 until the union ofthe fittings 1 and 2 ceases and these are parted from each other. Boththe male fitting 1 and the female fitting 2 have an inner conicalsurface 14 and 15, respectively, for co-operation with one another andsealing between the fittings. In order to facilitate the sealing betweenthe fittings, the surface 15 has a groove 16 for a suitable sealingring, e.g. an X-sealing ring.

The valve cone 3 has a rear portion with axial flanges or fins 17 and aclosure edge 18 for co-operation with a corresponding edge on the insideof the male fitting 1. Further, the valve cone 3 has a number of legs 19for orientation and positioning of the valve cone 3 in the femalefitting 2. The legs 19 extend in a groove 20 in the female fitting 2.Moreover, the valve cone 3 has a fracture indication 21. The valve cone3 further has a front end with sealing grooves 22, 23 for insertion inthe pump nozzle.

In the event of a hose rupture, the rupture will be positioned to thecoupling consisting of the male fitting 1 and the female fitting 2 inthat the ring 10 contracts its diameter against the action of the spring13 and slides up on the surfaces 8 and 9, so that the male fitting 1 maybe withdrawn from the female fitting 2. This will also entail that thevalve cone 3 will be divided at the indication of fracture 21 so thatthe front portion of the valve cone 3 accompanies the female fitting 2through the engagement of the legs 19 in the groove 20, and the rearportion with the sealing surface 18 comes into contact with acorresponding sealing surface in the male fitting 1 and liquid flow outof the male fitting (which is located on a hose end) is prevented. Ifthe valve cone 3 is intended for vapour recovery, it is provided with acentral through-going channel 24 and, in the rear portion, the centralchannel 24 is provided with a per se conventional non-return valve whichcloses the channel 24 in the event of a rupture or splitting of thevalve cone 3. Otherwise, the rear portion of the valve cone 3 may besolid up to the region of the indication of fracture 21.

In FIGS. 2-10, substantially the same parts have been given the samereference numerals as in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 shows the device described in the foregoing mounted on a hose endwith an outer casing 25 and an inner central channel 26 coaxiallydisposed therewith for vapour recovery. It will also be apparent how thecentral channel 26 is interconnected with the valve cone 3.

FIG. 8 shows another embodiment of a device according to the presentinvention. The major difference between this embodiment and theembodiment described in the foregoing resides in the fact that the splitring 10 has two grooves 27 and 28 on its inside, each for its springring 29, 30.

FIG. 9 shows a further embodiment of a device according to the presentinvention. The major difference vis-à-vis the two previous embodimentsresides in the fact that the radial portions 6 and 7 are outwardlydirected instead of inwardly directed and are placed on an inner surfaceportion of the female fitting and the male fitting instead of an outersurface portion as in the embodiments described in the foregoing.Further, the split ring 10 may be intended to be expanded instead ofcontracted on the occurrence of separating forces. The spring ring 13 islocated on the outside of the ring 10 in a groove 12 disposed on theoutside of the ring.

FIG. 10 shows a further embodiment of a device according to the presentinvention. This embodiment differs considerably more from the originalembodiment than the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, butcorresponding parts carry the same reference numerals in this embodimentas in the other embodiments. Apart from the radial portions 6 and 7 andthe placing of the sealing ring groove 16, the valve cone 3 in thisembodiment also differs from the earlier embodiments. Thus, both thesealing surface 18 and the fingers 19 are of a different appearance thanin the preceding embodiments. In this embodiment, the fingers 19 graspabout a flange instead of extending in a groove.

It should also be observed that the split ring 10 may very well bedivided into several parts or segments, preferably two, three or four.

The embodiment in FIG. 9 may also have several spring rings instead ofthe illustrated single spring ring 13.

The embodiment of a device according to the present inventionillustrated in FIG. 11 differs from the embodiments shown in thepreceding Drawings substantially in that the outer conical surface 4 isa short cylindrical surface 4 for co-operation with a cylindricalsurface 5 in the female fitting 2, whereafter the surface 4 reduces to asurface of lesser diameter. The surface 5 in the female fitting 2 mergesin a conical surface portion 31 a distance ahead of the radialprojection 7. There is thus formed between the surfaces 4, 5 and 31, aspace 32 which permits movement between the male fitting 1 and thefemale fitting 2. The surface of lesser diameter has a groove 33 for asealing ring 34. A sealing ring 35 is shown in the groove 16. In thisembodiment, the ring 10 is in a part which is urged out towards theradial projections 6 and 7 by means of the spring rings 29 and 30.

In this embodiment, the valve cone 3 has an indication of fracture 21which is in the form of a waist of considerable extent in thelongitudinal direction of the valve cone 3. The fingers 19 on the valvecone 3 extend at an angle to the longitudinal axis and the ends of thefingers 19 extend into the grooves 20 in the female fitting 2. The axialflanges or fins 17 on the rear portion of the valve cone 3 display apair of obliquely extending, radial grooves for forming a finger 36whose outer end extends somewhat outside the flanges or fins 17 forengagement in a groove 37 on the inside of the forward portion of themale fitting 1. The fingers 36 enter into engagement with the groove 37only after a hose rupture, when the valve cone is drawn into the malefitting before a fracture occurs in the indication of fracture 21,whereafter the remaining portion of the valve cone 3 is in principlefixed in the male fitting 1 by the engagement of the fingers 36 in thegroove 37.

The rear portion of the valve cone 3 has, in this embodiment, a groove38 for a sealing ring 39, for ensuring sealing against the edge in themale fitting 1. FIG. 11 further shows a number of sealing rings 40, 41and 42 for ensuring sealing in a pump nozzle.

The engagement of the fingers 36 in the groove 37 also has for itspurpose to prevent, to as great an extent as possible, re-use of thedevice after the rupture situation. After a rupture, it is extremelydifficult—if not impossible—to remove the rear portion of the valve cone3 from the male fitting 1 without these parts being destroyed.

The variations illustrated in FIGS. 13-16 of the embodiment of a deviceaccording to the present invention illustrated in FIG. 11 differtherefrom substantially by the provision of a spyglass 43 which, in thevariation according to FIGS. 13 and 14, is located in the male fitting1, and in the variation according to FIGS. 15 and 16, is disposed in thefemale fitting 2.

In the variation according to FIGS. 13 and 14, the male fitting 1 isextended and displays two recesses 44 and 45 which are locatedsubstantially in register with one another and which are covered bymeans of a tubular spyglass 43 which is in the form of a transparenttube section. The spyglass 43 is kept in place in the male fitting 1 bymeans of an inner male fitting 46 which may be threaded in the outermale fitting 1 for urging the spyglass section 43 against a surface 47in the male fitting 1 by the intermediary of two sealing rings 48 and49.

In the variation illustrated in FIGS. 15 and 16, the spyglass 43 is, aswas mentioned above, disposed in the female fitting 2 which is dividedinto an outer portion and an inner portion, the outer portion having therecesses 44 and 45 and preferably being fixedly threaded in the innerportion while the spyglass 43 is urged against a surface 50 on the innerportion by the intermediary of sealing rings 48 and 49.

In both of the spyglass variations, it is necessary to extend the valvecone 3. In the variation according to FIGS. 13 and 14, the valve cone 3is extended by means of a rear portion 51, while the valve cone 3 in thevariation according to FIGS. 15 and 16 is extended by means of a forwardportion 52.

FIG. 17 shows a valve cone 3 for replacing the valve cone in theembodiment in FIGS. 11 and 12 on adaptation of the device according tothe present invention for employment in stations without vapourrecovery.

Many modifications are conceivable without departing from the inventiveconcept as this is defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device for blocking a liquid- and/or vapourflow from a hose and positioning a hose rupture to a coupling in thehose, the coupling comprising a female fitting (2) and a male fitting(1), each with its radial, at least partly conical portion (6, 7) which,after union of the male fitting (1) in the female fitting (2), forms atleast parts of a conical ring, and a split ring (10) consisting of oneor more parts and provided with a groove (11) fitting the conical ring,being disposed on the conical ring (6, 7) for interconnecting andretaining the male fitting (1) in the female fitting (2), characterisedin that the ring (10), on the opposite side in relation to the groove(11), has at least one groove (12, 27, 28) for a spring ring (13, 29,30) for orientation of the spring ring (13, 29, 30) and urging said ring(10) against the conical ring (6, 7) and retention of the male fitting(1) in the female fitting (2) until a predetermined separating forceoccurs, when the split ring (10) slides off the conical ring (6, 7) sothat the retention of the male fitting (1) in the female fitting (2)ceases; that a valve cone (3) is disposed to block liquid- and/or vapourflow in the event that the male fitting (1) and the female fitting (2)are parted from one another; and that the valve cone (3) has couplingelements (19) for engagement with the female fitting (2), and a sealingelement (18) for co-operation with a sealing surface in the male fitting(1), or vice versa, and that an indication of fracture (21) is locatedbetween the coupling elements (19) and the sealing element (18).
 2. Thedevice as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the split ring (10)consists of one part and is progressively deformable in correspondenceto a separating force until it has been opened or closed so that theconical ring (10) is free and the male fitting (1) is drawn out of thefemale fitting (2).
 3. The device as claimed in claim 1, characterisedin that the radial, at least partly conical portions (6, 7) are inwardlydirected; and that the groove (11) in the split ring (10) is located onthe outside of the ring (10); and that the spring ring or spring rings(13) are located on the inside of the ring (10) for expanding thediameter of the ring (10) into engagement with the radial portions (6,7).
 4. The device as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that theradial, at least partly conical portions (6, 7) are outwardly directed;and that the groove (11) in the split ring (10) is located on the insideof the ring (10); and that the spring ring or spring rings (13) arelocated on the outside of the ring (10) for contracting the diameter ofthe ring (10) into engagement with the radial portions (6, 7).
 5. Thedevice as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that a sealing ringgroove (16) is disposed in an inner surface portion of the femalefitting (2) for urging a sealing ring, against an outer surface portionof the male fitting (1).
 6. The device as claimed in claim 1,characterised in that the male fitting (1) has a cylindrical surfaceportion (4) for co-operation with a cylindrical surface portion (5) inthe female fitting (2) and a cylindrical surface portion of lesserdiameter than the co-operation portion (4) for forming a space (32) forpermitting movement between the male fitting (1) and the female fitting(2).
 7. The device as claimed in claim 6, characterised in that thecylindrical surface portion (5) in the female fitting (2) has an innerconical surface portion (31).
 8. The device as claimed in claim 6,characterised in that the male fitting (1) has an inwardly directedgroove (37) for co-operation with a number of fingers (36) on a rearportion of the valve cone (3).
 9. The device as claimed in claim 6,characterised in that a number of positioning fingers on a forwardportion of the valve cone (3) extend at an angle to the longitudinalaxis of the valve cone (3) and engage with a groove (20) in the femalefitting (2).